It didn’t take 35 years for this tree to die

Technically, it's not dead, but when I showed the experts at Bookcliff the photo on my phone, they promptly offered to replace it.

There's a second branch growing up from the ground, but Carol from Bookcliff said that it probably wouldn't be a sensation boxelder, which is what I bought last fall.

This is why I like to buy from local nurseries like Bookcliff, Valley Grown or Mount Garfield. At Bookcliff, trees come with a one-year warranty, which means that if you plant it in the fall, and it dies over the winter, they replace it.

Although I love my garden catalogs, I'm seeing why it may not be the best idea to order live plants from them. I ordered this honeyberry bush earlier this year and was pretty excited when it finally came in the mail. Except that it took much longer than expected in shipping, and I think it died along the way. I planted it anyway, and I recently have been calling (and sending pics to the staff horticulturalist) to find out what they can do to replace it.

I sent the pic last week and haven't heard back. I'm afraid if they simply send me a new one, it will also die along the way.

Valley Grown Nursery is supposed to be getting some honeyberry bushes in this year. I may just take a credit at Park Seed and go buy the plant at a local nursery. I'm sure I'll have better luck, and if I don't, they'll probably replace it easier.